A sick man being treated by paramedics on Sunday night allegedly stole their ambulance and led police on a chase through downtown Los Angeles before crashing into another vehicle and injuring two women, The Associated Press reported.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on South San Pedro Street, KTLA reported. The unidentified suspect, who was reportedly suffering from hallucinations that began after he had taken a "spice," was being treated by paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department when the situation took a turn.
It's not clear who originally called the paramedics.
The man reportedly ripped the IVs out of his arm and fled the scene on foot. As the paramedics were cleaning the back of the vehicle, the man reappeared, opened the driver's side door and jumped into the ambulance.
In fear for their safety, the paramedics hopped out of the ambulance. That's when the suspect drove off.
An unnamed fire department captain followed the ambulance until Los Angeles Police Department officers took over the pursuit, NBC Los Angeles reported. The chase ended a short time later when the suspect lost control of the ambulance and crashed into a minivan near the intersection of Beverly Blvd. and Union Place.
According to ABC7, two women inside the minivan suffered minor injuries in the collision. The driver was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and is listed in good condition, Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Will Batista told KTLA.
"Initially it didn't make sense at all to anybody that the fire department was chasing one of its own vehicles," LAPD Lt. Theresa Coyle told ABC7. "As it became clear, gratefully no one was seriously injured."
The man accused of stealing the ambulance and taking it for a joyride was apprehended. He is expected to be charged with carjacking and felony evading.
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